New Delhi [India], October 27: After dedicating 39 years to government service, former civil servant Anand Shrikrishna has turned his focus to writing about spiritual and social topics, drawing from his extensive administrative background and his regular practice of Vipassana meditation.
The spark for his writing journey ignited during a family ceremony where monks recited Pali suttas, but their meanings were left unclear. Many attendees struggled to grasp the significance of the chants, which led him to realize the need for a book that could break down these teachings into simple, accessible language. Later, while participating in a Vipassana meditation course, he was inspired by Acharya S.N. Goenka’s words: “If you have benefited from the meditation course, it’s your duty to tell others about it.” This encouragement pushed him to start writing.
Growing up in a Kabirpanthi family, Mr. Shrikrishna was immersed in a world of saints and seekers. He explored various meditation practices, including Ananda Marga, Reiki, and Siddha Samadhi Yoga, but ultimately found true clarity in Vipassana. “It’s all about direct experience, not just imagination,” he explains. Since then, he has been a dedicated practitioner.
In 2002, he began sharing his insights through articles in The Speaking Tree (Times of India) and Navbharat Times. His first book hit the shelves in 2004 and has since been translated into several Indian languages, such as Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Punjabi.
Mr. Shrikrishna emphasizes that he writes in a way that resonates with everyday people. “I aim for a conversational tone, as if I’m chatting directly with the reader. My goal isn’t to preach but to connect.” His writing style blends personal experiences with a deep study of the Buddha’s teachings. He has traveled to many historical sites where the Buddha lived and taught, often engaging in discussions with monks and Vipassana teachers to explore his questions. This isn’t the end discussion of his writings, his book “Gautam Buddha aur unke Updesh” has actually crossed one million on KuKu FM. This itself tells us that how much people love his work.
For him, values like compassion, honesty, forgiveness, simplicity, and hard work are at the heart of both life and writing. He takes every opportunity to write, viewing it more as a personal responsibility than just a job.
“The message is straightforward,” he shares. “Be true to yourself, pay attention to your own journey, and whatever challenges come your way, face them with calmness, this too shall pass.”
Disclaimer: Views expressed above are the author’s own and do not reflect the publication’s views.
